Central Asia - The Times Of Central Asia

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Fencing

World’s Top Fencers Compete in Astana and Tashkent

Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan are hosting World Cup fencing competitions this week, reflecting the growth of the sport in Central Asia. Top fencers from around the world have gathered in the Kazakhstani capital of Astana for the men’s and women’s epee competition, which started on Thursday and runs until Sunday. The two-day women’s saber contest in Tashkent, Uzbekistan began on Friday. A third World Cup, in men’s saber, is currently underway in Budapest, Hungary. In total, more than 800 elite fencers are participating in the three events, according to the International Fencing Federation. The federation says second-ranked Giulia Rizzi of Italy and sixth-ranked Hungarian Eszter Muhari are the fencers “to watch” on the women’s side in Astana, while on the men’s side, tenth-ranked Tristen Tulen of the Netherlands has had a breakout year. In Tashkent, two-time world champion Misaki Emura of Japan is a favorite. Still, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan are establishing their presence in international fencing, winning medals in high-level competitions. Last year, the men’s epee team of Kazakhstan won bronze at the World Fencing Championships in Tbilisi, Georgia, beating France for the medal. The Uzbek competition will be hosted in the state-of-the-art Olympic City, the largest sports complex in Central Asia, and the designated hub for the 4th Asian Youth Games in 2029. One of Uzbekistan’s top women is Zaynab Dayibekova, who competed in the Olympic Games in Tokyo and Paris and is currently ranked 29th in the world. She was part of the women's saber team from Uzbekistan that won gold at the 2023 Asian Games, defeating host China in the semifinal and then Japan in the final. Speaking at the opening ceremony in Tashkent, Otabek Umarov, First Deputy Chairman of the National Olympic Committee of Uzbekistan and Vice-President of the Olympic Council of Asia, said: “We are delighted to welcome the world’s best senior female fencers to Tashkent to experience Uzbekistan’s renowned hospitality, rich cultural heritage, and world-class sports facilities. We are grateful to our friends at the International Fencing Federation for their trust in our ability to host a spectacular event."

Tourism Industry

Kyrgyzstan Earned Almost $1.1 Billion from Tourism in 2025

Kyrgyzstan’s tourism industry continued to expand in 2025, remaining an important contributor to the country’s economic growth. According to the National Statistical Committee, revenue from foreign visitors reached $1.098 billion in 2025, up from $1.016 billion in 2024. Tourism accounted for 3.8% of GDP, compared to 3.6% the previous year. At the same time, Kyrgyz citizens spent $564 million on travel abroad. As of January 1, 2026, the country had 148,100 registered tourism-related businesses. Revenue from passenger transportation serving tourists across all modes of transport totaled nearly 17.3 billion soms (approximately $197 million), compared to 16.9 billion soms in 2024. Kyrgyzstan’s main tourist attractions include Lake Issyk-Kul and its mountain ski resorts, with the largest and most popular located in Karakol. In recent years, more than 95% of foreign tourists have come from neighboring Central Asian countries and Russia. According to the Tourism Development Fund, most visitors arrive from Uzbekistan, followed by Kazakhstan and Russia. At the same time, the number of tourists from Arab and European countries, as well as from China, India, and the United States, has been steadily increasing.

Rahmon in Uzbekistan

Uzbekistan and Tajikistan Launch 10 Joint Projects During Rahmon’s State Visit

Uzbekistan's President Shavkat Mirziyoyev welcomed his Tajik counterpart Emomali Rahmon to Tashkent on March 26 for a state visit marked by high-level talks, and the launch of joint economic projects. Talks between the presidents followed, first in a one-on-one format and then during the inaugural meeting of the Supreme Interstate Council, a new platform aimed at deepening bilateral cooperation. Mirziyoyev described the visit as a landmark in bilateral relations, noting that the council would elevate cooperation and provide a mechanism for implementing joint initiatives. Both sides highlighted the increasing frequency of contacts between government institutions, parliaments, and agencies. In the lead-up to the visit, a series of events took place, including an intergovernmental commission meeting, an industrial exhibition, and forums involving regional leaders, academics, and youth. Uzbekistan also hosted Days of Tajik Culture and Cinema. During the discussions, Mirziyoyev and Rahmon reviewed opportunities to expand cooperation across key sectors, including trade, industry, transport, and water and energy security. Bilateral trade approached $1 billion last year, driven largely by the exchange of finished goods. The two countries aim to double this figure to $2 billion by 2030. Planned measures include accelerating the establishment of the Oybek-Fotekhobod border trade center, introducing digital certification systems and “E-Permit” mechanisms, and modernizing border infrastructure. The sides also agreed to adopt an industrial cooperation program covering mining, energy, agriculture, construction, and manufacturing. Following the council meeting, Mirziyoyev and Rahmon attended a ceremony to launch 10 joint projects. These include new enterprises producing furniture and leather goods, expanded household appliance manufacturing, textile production facilities in Tajikistan, and construction projects in Tashkent. Additional initiatives include food processing plants in Uzbekistan's Fergana region, dairy production in the city of Andijan, and facilities for making fruit juice and metal briquettes in the country's Surkhandarya region. A ceremony was also held to name a street in New Tashkent after Dushanbe, underscoring symbolic ties between the two capitals. The visit also featured the opening of a new building for Tajikistan’s embassy in Tashkent. The complex includes administrative offices, a consular section, a residence for the ambassador, and housing for diplomatic staff and their families. Cultural diplomacy formed another key part of the visit. Mirziyoyev and Rahmon attended a joint concert at the International Forums Palace featuring performers from both countries, with a program highlighting shared cultural heritage and longstanding ties between the Uzbek and Tajik peoples. The leaders also discussed regional and international issues, reaffirming their commitment to continued dialogue and cooperation within Central Asia. They agreed to strengthen coordination on security matters and expand interregional ties, as well as humanitarian, educational, and scientific exchanges. Given the presence of large diaspora communities in both countries, a proposal was put forward to adopt a five-year program aimed at strengthening cultural and humanitarian connections. At the conclusion of the visit, both sides agreed to develop a comprehensive roadmap to ensure implementation of the agreements reached, signaling continued efforts to expand cooperation across political, economic, and cultural spheres.

Aviation

Kazakhstan Expands Aviation Hub with Focus on U.S. and Long-Haul Flights

Kazakhstan is preparing for an audit by the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) that would allow the country to launch direct flights to the United States. To achieve this, the government must demonstrate the reliability of its aviation regulatory system, the presence of an independent and effective oversight body, and transparent airline certification procedures. The country is also planning to acquire modern long-haul aircraft and has begun construction of its first maintenance center to service them. The Times of Central Asia spoke with representatives of Kazakhstan’s aviation industry about the progress of these efforts, when direct flights to North America may begin, and what challenges remain. As part of efforts to expand international routes and strengthen Kazakhstan’s position as an aviation hub between Europe and Asia, Bauyrzhan Umiraliyev, head of the Aviation Safety Department at the Civil Aviation Committee, said the national carrier Air Astana plans to purchase 15 Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft, with deliveries scheduled between 2026 and 2035. “This is a strategically important decision that can significantly boost civil aviation, the economy, and the country’s international standing,” an aviation authority representative told The Times of Central Asia. “Long-haul aircraft will allow airlines to launch direct flights to destinations in North America, Europe, Asia, and Australia that were previously inaccessible or required layovers.” The aircraft will also enhance Kazakhstan’s attractiveness as a transit hub and tourist destination, while enabling airlines to compete internationally through improved efficiency, pricing, and service quality. The purchase of these aircraft, previously delayed twice since 2025 due to production backlogs at Boeing, is expected to open new opportunities for Kazakhstan’s aviation sector, particularly following the anticipated attainment of Category 1 (CAT-1) safety status, confirming compliance with international aviation standards. CAT-1: The Path to the U.S. In 2024, Kazakhstan’s aviation authorities and the FAA signed an agreement to conduct a technical assessment under the International Aviation Safety Assessment (IASA) program. According to Aslan Satzhanov, Acting Executive Director of the Aviation Administration of Kazakhstan, the assessment identified areas requiring improvement in flight safety oversight. “We are currently working on amendments to regulatory acts to implement modern safety procedures and standardize processes, with technical support from FAA experts,” Satzhanov said. In parallel, experts from the U.S. Transportation Security Administration have conducted preliminary assessments of airport security under the Export Control and Border Security Program. The first visit, in October 2021, resulted in a generally positive evaluation of Kazakhstan’s aviation security framework. A follow-up visit in August 2022 focused on screening procedures for passengers, baggage, and cargo at Astana Airport. “The capital’s airport received a positive assessment, and the coordinated work of aviation security personnel was noted,” Satzhanov said. According to preliminary information, the full IASA audit may take place after long-haul aircraft enter service and relevant infrastructure is fully prepared; though, it should be noted that Kazakhstan does not control the timing of the IASA audit. Industry Awaits New Aircraft Preparations for launching new international routes, including previously announced flights to New York and Tokyo, are already underway....

Society

Large Families in Kazakhstan Are Cutting Back on Food

A new study by analysts at Finprom.kz highlights a concerning trend: in Kazakhstan, food consumption declines as the number of children in a household increases, while the gap between low- and high-income families continues to widen. Drawing on data from the National Statistics Bureau for the fourth quarter of last year, the analysts found a clear pattern: per capita food consumption decreases as family size grows. In households with one child, per capita consumption of meat and meat products stands at 21.8 kg per quarter. In families with four children, this figure falls to 14.8 kg, roughly one-third lower. A similar pattern is evident across other food categories. In larger families, fish consumption is 33.4% lower, dairy products 26.4% lower, fruit 26% lower, and confectionery 22.8% lower. In households with five or more children, the disparities are even more pronounced. Year-on-year data show that the situation is deteriorating in families with four children, where consumption of staple foods continues to decline. Meat consumption fell by 3.2% (around 0.5 kg per person), fish by 5.6%, dairy products by 2%, and potatoes by 7.6%. By contrast, average consumption across Kazakhstan has not declined. On the contrary, overall food intake has increased slightly, suggesting that the negative trend is concentrated among larger, lower-income households. The disparity is particularly stark when comparing the wealthiest 10% of households with the poorest 10%. In the fourth quarter of last year, higher-income households increased consumption across most categories: meat by 3.8%, dairy products by 1.8%, eggs by 6%, and vegetables by 3.4%. Consumption of higher-cost items also rose, including fish and seafood (up 8%), oils and fats (up 10.8%), and confectionery (up 11.9%). In contrast, low-income households reduced consumption in several categories during the fourth quarter of 2025: fish and seafood fell by 11.9%, vegetable oils by 11.3%, and bread and cereals by 4.3%. Modest increases in some items, such as dairy products and eggs, did not offset the overall decline. Meat consumption illustrates the disparity most clearly. In higher-income households, per capita consumption rose from just over 25 kg to around 30 kg per quarter. In low-income households, it remains at approximately 10 kg. For comparison, the recommended daily intake for adults is about 150 grams, or roughly 18 kg per quarter. This suggests that lower-income groups consume significantly less than recommended levels. Overall, the gap between affluent and low-income households is substantial: nearly threefold for meat consumption, 2.4 times for dairy products, and 18.8% for bread and cereals.

Football

Uzbekistan´s Footballers Prep for World Cup with Friendlies at Home

Uzbekistan's national football team will play friendly matches against Gabon and Venezuela in the coming days as part of its preparation for this year’s FIFA World Cup. First up for Uzbekistan is Gabon on Friday at Bunyodkor Stadium in Tashkent, followed by a matchup with Venezuela on Monday, March 30 at the same location. Trinidad and Tobago is also participating in the round of friendly matches, and will face Venezuela and Gabon at Pakhtakor Stadium, which is also in the Uzbek capital. Uzbekistan will compete in the World Cup for the first time and faces some tough contenders in the four-member group K. Its first match is against Colombia in Mexico City on June 17. The Uzbek national team then heads to the United States to play Portugal in Houston on June 23. The fourth member of group K is yet to be determined, pending the outcome of play-off matches. Uzbekistan will play that final group match in Atlanta on June 27. Uzbekistan’s team is led by coach Fabio Cannavaro, a former defender who was captain of Italy’s winning team in the 2006 World Cup in Germany.